Tubing bracket assembly

ABSTRACT

A tube bracket assembly for use in mounting tubing, particularly round tubing to a support member. The bracket assembly includes two opposed C-shaped members with the opposed free ends of each C-shaped member being interconnected by a bridging member. The bridging member has weld projections for interconnecting the bridging members to a mounting bracket. The clamp is squeezed about a tube so that the bridging members are generally parallel to the centerline of the tube and a bracket is then welded to the bridging members for a secure bracket assembly.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to brackets for mounting tubing,and more specifically, to a tubing bracket assembly, an apparatus forattaching the assembly to a tube and a method for attaching the bracketassembly to a tube. This invention is particularly advantageous whenattaching a bracket to round tubing.

Many products have tubing which must be mounted to the product.

Typically, the tubing is supplied to the product manufacturer as anassembled part with the bracket pre-attached to the tubing. This allowsthe product manufacturer to position the tube at the proper location andattach the bracket to the product. As will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art, pre-attached brackets must be properlylocated on the tube or the tube will not be capable of proper alignmentwith respect to the product. Further, as will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art, the tube may have numerous bends and requiremore than one bracket along the tube. This increases the difficulty inattaching the bracket to the tube.

The typical method for mounting a bracket to a tube is to weld thebracket onto the tube. This process requires that the bracket bepositioned on the tube at the proper location, held securely at thelocation and then welded to the tube. This method has severaldisadvantages. First, the bracket is typically an elongated flat metalpiece which may have several bends and twists. A small portion of thebracket, a foot portion, is typically bent at an angle with respect tothe remainder of the bracket and is the portion that is welded to thetube. This small portion is curved to approximate the curve of the tubeand thereby facilitate attachment to the tube. However the foot portionis difficult to properly locate and, once located, is difficult toretain in the proper position during the welding process. Further, thewelding process can cause expansion of the respective parts furtherenhancing the potential for misalignment. Typically, the bracket has amounting hole whose centerline must align with the centerline of thetube in order to have a properly attached bracket. As should beappreciated, slight misalignments can result in a defective partrequiring the part to be scrapped. With such a small area for use inaligning the bracket, misalignment of the bracket occurs quite easily.

Another disadvantage is that the welding process welds the bracketdirectly to the tube. As discussed above, the area of the bracket thatis welded is a small portion of the bracket and may not be securelyattached to the tube, resulting in either a loose bracket or a bracketwhich can easily be separated from the tube. Again, the result isscrapping of the part. A still further problem is bum-through of thetube during the weld process. Sometimes the weld will burn through thetube causing the tube to be scrapped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above problems. The presentinvention uses a specially designed clamp which is clamped about thetube and has bridge members to which a bracket can be attached. In thepreferred embodiment, the clamp has two opposed generally C-shapedengagement tings for engaging the tube to be clamped. The engagementtings include cleats which dig into the tubing to prevent the clamp fromrotating on the tubing once it is clamped onto the tubing.

With the use of the C-shaped engagement rings, the bracket can beradially and linearly adjusted on the tube to ensure proper alignment.

The two C-shaped engagement rings are bridged by bridging members. Eachof the C-shaped engagement rings end in these bridging members. Thebridging members when clamped about the tube are generally co-linearwith the longitudinal centerline of the tube, which assists in properalignment. The bridging members have generally plainer fiat surfacesupon which the bracket is easily mounted. In the preferred embodiment,the bridging members include two weld projections on each bridgingmember for welding to the brackets. This ensures against looseconnections and burn-through problems.

In use, the bridging members are spaced from each other so that theclamp can be positioned about the tube. Once positioned about the tube,the clamp is closed so that the cleats dig into the tube with thebridging members being brought closer together. To facilitate closing,notches are formed in each of the C-shaped members so that the bendingcan occur about these notches. In the clamped position, this innerdiameter of the C-shaped members closely approximate the outer diameterof the tube so that the clamp fits snugly about the tube and cannotrotate.

Rotation is further precluded by the cleats digging into the tubing.Once the clamp is clamped about the tube, the bracket can be broughtinto engagement with the bridging members and welded in place.

In the preferred embodiment, the clamp is manufactured as a singleunitary piece. It is typically stamped from a sheet of metal andincludes two C-shaped end members interconnected by generally straightflat bridging members. Once the blank is stamped from a piece of metal,the C-shaped end members are bent at generally 90° angles with respectto the bridging members to form the clamp. The bridging members can thenbe forced apart to a distance slightly greater than the diameter of thetube. This permits the tube to be easily positioned within the clamp.The clamp can then be closed about the tube.

The clamp is installed with an installation tool that includes jawswhich engage the clamp and move the clamp forwardly and move the bridgemembers inwardly so that the clamp actually squeezes the tube. Theopposed jaws have concave surfaces for receipt of the clamp and thetube. In use, the clamp is positioned on the curved surfaces of the jawsand then the tube is positioned within the clamp. The jaws are thenmoved toward the tube, in a generally linear direction and toward thetube in a radial direction to actually squeeze the clamp about the tube.A vertically reciprocating control bar controls the movement of the jawswhich are interconnected to the control bar by connecting links.

Once the clamp is positioned about the tube, the jaws remain in placeand the bracket is brought into engagement with the weld projections.Once the bracket engages the weld projections, a welding electrodeengages the bracket, and the bracket is welded to the bridge members.Electric leads are connected to the jaws so that current flows from theelectrode through the leads and through the clamp and bracket.

As stated above, the clamp and bracket assembly of the present inventionprovides an efficient and easy way of aligning the bracket on a tube,particularly a round tube. Further, there is no welding of the bracketto the tube so that the tube is not in any way affected by the weldprocess. The welding occurs between the bracket and the clamp.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomemore apparent upon reference to the succeeding, detailed descriptionthereof, and of the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment ofthis invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the clamp ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket and clamp assembly attachedto a tube.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clamp of the preferred embodiment inthe open position prior to receipt of a tube.

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the installation tool of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the clamp of the present invention as itappears when it is cut from metal but prior to it being bent into thefinal shape of the clamp.

FIG. 6 illustrates the installation tool and electrode during thewelding process of the bracket to the clamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the bracket assembly clamp of the presentinvention is shown generally at 10. The clamp 10 includes two opposedring members 12 and 14 which are interconnected by bridge members 16 and18. As illustrated, bridge member 16 bridges the opposed free ends ofring members 12 and 14 and bridge member 18 bridges the other opposedfree ends of ring members 12 and 14. The bridge members 16 and 18 aregenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline 21 of each of theC-shaped ring members 12 and 14. With reference to FIG. 2, it can beseen that the opposed ring members are adapted to encircle a tube 20.Once the ring members encircle tube 20, a bracket 22 can be welded tothe bridge members 16 and 18 to form a mounting bracket for tube 20.

Referring again to FIG. 1, each of the opposed ring members 12 and 14include an indent 24. This indent is positioned along the centerline 21at about the center of the C-shaped rings to facilitate opening thebridge members as shown in FIG. 3 and closing the clamp 10. The bridgemembers can be spread apart as shown in FIG. 3 and closed again as shownin FIG. 1 about indent 24.

In the preferred embodiment, rotation of the clamp about the tube isprevented by cleats 26 which are formed along the inner edge of the ringmembers 12 and 14. As shown, there are two opposed cleats on each ringmember 12 and 14. One or more cleats could be used. Further, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the cleats could beeliminated if the application did not require anti-rotationcapabilities. In fact, the clamp 10 can be squeezed about tube 20 toprevent most rotation that will be encountered. The cleats 26 ensureagainst almost any rotation.

Positioned along the bridge member 16 are weld projections 28. The weldprojections melt upon the application of electric current to the bracketand clamp. Further, along the exterior of the C-shaped member notches 30are provided, which facilitate the installation of the clamp. Thenotices 30 provide positive engagement between the jaws 34 and 36 of thetool 32 and the clamp during installation.

With reference to FIG. 4, the installation tool of the present inventionis shown generally at 32. The installation tool includes opposed jaws 34and 36 which are mounted for pivotal and linear movement with respect tothe body 37 of the installation tool 32. Each of the jaws 34 and 36includes a head portion 38 that has a concave inner surface 40 whichends in a convex portion 42. This convex portion 42 engages the notch 30of the clamp for positive engagement as the clamp is moved toward andaround the tube 20.

Extending from the head portion 38 of each of the jaws 36 and 34 is aconnecting arm 44. As illustrated, each of the connecting arms has twospaced apertures 52 and 54 for interconnecting the connecting arm 44 toa pivotal link 48, to the body portion 37, and to a reciprocatingcontrol bar 46. With respect to jaw 34, a pin 56 interconnects one sideof link 48 to aperture 52 and to the body portion 37. A second pin 58interconnects connecting arm 44 through aperture 54 to connecting link48 and control bar 46. The control bar 46 is recessed at 60 to provideclearance for receipt of the link 48 and connecting arm 44. As should beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with one side of theconnecting arm interconnected to the body portion 37 and the other sideconnected to a reciprocating control bar 46, linear movement of thecontrol bar 46 is translated through link 48 into linear and pivotalmovement of jaws 34. The other jaw 36 is connected in the same way tothe other side of the body and control bar 46. The other jaw 36 has aconnecting arm 62 and a link 48 that are interconnected by pins 66 and68.

In the illustrated embodiment, the control bar 46 is reciprocated by acontrol arm 70. The control arm 70 is connected to the control bar 46 bya pin 80. The opposite side of control arm 70 is connected to a base 74through links 72 and pins 76 and 78. As should be appreciated by thoseof ordinary skill in the art, the interconnection of control lever 72 tocontrol bar 46 through pivot 72 translates the pivotal movement of arm70 to vertical movement of bar 46.

In the preferred embodiment, the control bar is guided between guides82, 84, 86 and 88. These guides are preferably sandwiched between frontand back plates 91 of the assembly tool. The plates and guides aresecured together by machine bolts 89, as illustrated. In this way, thereciprocal movement of the control bar 46 is contained within guides toensure its proper reciprocation within the tool.

To provide adjustment to the movement of the jaws 34 and 36, adjustingmembers are provided. The amount of travel of the control link 70 can bepreset by adjustment of bolt 92 which is received within guide 88.Further, the amount of vertical travel of control bar 46 can bepreadjusted through adjusting bolts 94 and 96 which engage an adjustingarm 95 which protrudes from control bar 46. Still further, the verticalposition of the control bar with respect to the housing can be adjustedby adjusting member 98, which moves base 74.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, leads 102 are connected to the heads 38of the jaws 34 and 36. An electrode 100 is also illustrated which can bemoved into engagement with the bracket assembly once the clamp 10 hasbeen clamped about tube 20.

In operation, the assembly tool illustrated in FIG. 4 is opened forreceipt of clamp 10 (see FIG. 3). To open the assembly, control lever 70is raised to pull control bar 46 downwardly to open the jaws 34 and 36.With the jaws 34 and 36 open, clamp 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3, can beinserted into the jaws to engage the curved inner surfaces of the jaws.A tube 20 is then positioned in clamp 10 and lever 70 is depressed.Depressing lever 70 causes control bar 46 to move upwardly with respectto the body 37, closing jaws 34 and 36 about clamp 10. As indicatedpreviously, jaws 34 and 36 move linearly in the direction of the tube,as well as radially about the tube to squeeze clamp 10 about the tube20. The cleats 26 dig into the tube to prevent rotation of the clampwith respect to the tube. After the jaws 34 and 36 have been fullyclosed, the bracket 22 is brought into engagement with the bridgingmembers 18. Once positioned, electrode 100 is brought into engagementwith the face of bracket 22 and bracket 22 is welded through weldprojections 28 to clamp 10 for a secure bracket attachment.

With reference to FIG. 5, the method of making clamp 10 of the presentinvention is illustrated. The clamp is formed from a flat stock ofmaterial, preferably metal. As can be seen, the clamp is cut from a flatsheet in a generally oval configuration. The ring members 12 and 14 areon the ends and are interconnected by bridge members 16 and 18. Theindents 24 on the inner wall of the rings and the notches 30 are cutinto the outer walls of the ring. Further, the weld projections 26 areformed in the bridge member 16. Once the flat blank illustrated in FIG.5 is formed, the rings are folded along imaginary fold lines 35 untilthey are generally perpendicular to the bridge members 16 and 18. Inthis way, the clamp can be easily and economically formed to the shapeillustrated in FIG. 1. After the clamp 10 is formed, it can then beseparated as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the alternative, the flat blankcan be formed with the bridge members separated as shown in FIG. 3 andthen squeezed together by the installation tool illustrated in FIG. 4 tothe shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

While the invention has been shown and described in its preferredembodiment, it will be clear to those skilled in the art to which itpertains that many changes and modifications may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

What is claim:
 1. A clamp for clamping a tube to a support, said clampcomprising:two opposed generally C-shaped engagement rings for engaginga tube to be clamped, each of said engagement rings having opposed endsgenerally facing each other; two bridging members, one of said bridgingmembers extending between one of said ends of each of said opposedengagement rings and the other bridging member extending between theother one of said ends of each said opposed engagement members such thatsaid bridging members extend generally parallel to one another; saidrings being adapted to partially encircle a tube to be clamped with saidbridging members extending generally longitudinally along the exteriorOf said tube; and a bracket for mounting said clamp to a support, saidbracket being adapted to be attached to said bridging members.
 2. Theclamp of claim 1, wherein each of said bridging members has anengagement surface that is generally planar.
 3. The clamp of claim 1,further including at least one cleat on at least one of said rings forengaging a tube to prevent relative movement between said clamp and thetube.
 4. The clamp of claim 1, clamp to a second member, said bracketbeing adapted to be attached to said bridging wherein each of saidbridging members include an engagement surface that is generally planarfor receipt of said bracket.
 5. The clamp of claim 4, wherein saidbridging members include weld projections for welding said bracket tosaid bridging members.
 6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein each of saidrings includes a notch generally opposite said free ends about whichsaid bridging members can be forced away from one another and forcedtoward one another such that said rings can be opened for positioningabout said tube and forced together to engage said tube.
 7. A bracketassembly comprising:a tubing clamp having two opposed generally C-shapedengagement rings engaging the periphery of said tube, each of saidengagement rings having opposed free ends and each of said engagementrings having a longitudinal centerline with said free ends of each ringbeing spaced therefrom; two bridging members extending between said freeends in a direction generally perpendicular to said centerlines withsaid bridging members being generally parallel to one another; a bracketfor mounting said clamp to a second member, said bracket being attachedto said bridging members and extending outwardly from said bridgingmembers.
 8. The bracket assembly of claim 7, further including a tubeabout which said bracket assembly is installed.
 9. The assembly of claim9, wherein each of said bridging members includes an engagement surfacethat is generally planar for mating with said bracket.
 10. The bracketassembly of claim 9, wherein said connectors have a generally planarsurface for mating with said bridging members.
 11. The bracket assemblyof claim, 7, wherein each of said tings includes a notch located uponsaid centerline generally opposite said free ends about which saidbridging members can be forced away from one another and forced towardone another such that said rings can be opened for positioning about atube and forced together to engage a tube.
 12. The bracket assembly ofclaim 7, further including at least one cleat on at least one of saidrings for engaging a tube to prevent relative movement between saidclamp and a tube.
 13. A method for connecting a tubing clamp to a tube,said method comprising the steps of:a. providing a tube to be clamped;b. providing a tubing clamp having two opposed generally C-shapedengagement rings, each of said engagement rings having opposed endsgenerally facing each other defining a first set of spaced free endsbetween the opposed rings and a second set of spaced free ends betweenthe opposed rings and two opposed bridging members, one of said opposedbridging members extending between said first set of spaced free endsand the other bridging member extending between said second set ofspaced free ends such that each of said opposed bridging members aregenerally parallel to one another; c. spreading said opposed bridgingmembers with respect to one another to define an opening between saidbridging members that is slightly larger than the diameter of said tubeand placing said tubing clamp over said tube such that said engagementrings generally encircle the circumference of said tube and saidbridging members extend generally longitudinally along said tube; d.squeezing said bridging members toward one another causing said rings togrip said tube; e. abutting a bracket against said bridging members andadhering said bracket and said bridging member together.
 14. The methodof claim 13, further including the steps of:a. providing said clamp as aflat unitary member having said rings on each end of said bridgingmembers; b. folding said rings with respect to said bridging memberssuch that said rings are generally parallel to said bridging members.15. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of adhering includes thestep of passing an electrical current through said bridging members andsaid bracket to weld said bridging members and bracket together.